For the farmer and gardener, however, the pure food-grade of Fossil Shell Flour is a feed supplement that helps animals’ digestion, as well as an effective organic insecticide, safe for the environment, pets, and people. In addition to insect control, Fossil Shell Flour is used as an internal wormer, and for parasite removal in both humans and animals.

Fossil Shell Flour is best distinguished from other similar products in that it is very finely milled – yes, as the name suggests, with a consistency like flour.  Fossil Shell Flour is, more specifically, fossilized shell (diatom) originating from the very pure, snow-derived mountain fresh water deposit of the diatom Melosira Preicelanica. The hard shell of the Fossil Shell Flour diatom is made of a deposit of 89 to 95-percent amorphous silica.  The diatomaceous earth more commonly used in swimming pools, for example, is not amorphous silica, but crystalline silica, which is the result of extreme heat via volcanic activity or through manufacturing. Crystalline silica is not biodegradable, and extremely dangerous when inhaled or ingested.

The amorphous silica of Fossil Shell Flour is used in feed as an anti-caking agent, and protects the food from mold, as it separates particles – this is also beneficial for the animal’s complete digestion.

It seems that even some of the most popular kits leave a bit to be desired. Consider this advice about putting together a greenhouse kit posted at the Grow Your Own Forum:

Don’t try to do it on your own, you need company if only to make the coffee. Sort all the nuts and bolts into sizes and put in separate bowls or containers. Instructions can be a bit vague, so two heads are definitely better than one. And if it gets a bit stressy…your companion will hopefully stop you putting a sledgehammer through the whole thing.

Well, we have a great way to avoid this kind of frustration: get a Snap & Grow Greenhouse made by Poly-Tex, a family-run business located in Castle Rock, MN. What we like about their hobby greenhouses is that the parts snap together using SmartLock™ Connectors, a unique system that makes Snap & Grow one of the quickest and simplest kits to set up on the market.

The other great benefit is that you’re not limited to the greenhouse you began with—you can expand it whenever you desire, thanks again to those SmartLock™ Connectors. What’s more, Poly-Tex produces a full range of accessories: automatic vent openers, shelf sets, shade kits, even plant hangers.

As with many of the best greenhouses, the greenhouse panels are made of polycarbonate, a polymer that is as clear as glass but offers 100% UV protection and is virtually unbreakable. The heavy-duty frame is molded out of corrosion-resistant aluminum, and the kit includes an innovative split-style door and window, both of which come pre-assembled, right down to the attached weather stripping.

There are various methods of deer control available, from electrified fencing to deer repellents. Some are quite costly, some can be inconvenient, and some can be dangerous to the deer or to other animals or even humans. Deer Barrier by Easy Gardener is a practical choice for deer control on your place. This light and easy to install material will last for many years. You can attach it to poles, trees, or the supports you have available. The weather resistant polypropylene material is not dangerous to the deer, as the mesh is too small for them to get caught and tangled in. There is no need for an electricity source, so you can use this fence anywhere.

In addition to its effectiveness and ease of use, Easy Gardener Deer Barrier fencing material makes a low-visibility fencing that won’t destroy the aesthetics of your property. There is no shiny metal or unsightly wire to spoil the looks of your property. Deer Barrier fencing blends in with the environment and the background. For very heavily trafficked areas, there is X-treme Deer Barrier, which provides twice the strength of the regular fence, along with a foot more height. Neither Deer Barrier nor X-treme Deer Barrier fencing will rust or rot, being made of high-strength polypropylene.

You may just want to keep deer out of your garden. Or you may want to protect your entire property from the damage deer can do, and protect your family from the danger of Lyme disease carried by the deer tick as well. If so, Deer Barrier by Easy Gardner is an ideal material for a practical, durable deer fence that will protect your plants and people while not harming the deer either.

Deer damage can cost you some serious money in lost produce and in damage to trees or other landscape plants. So protect what you’ve planted, without harming the wild animals or endangering pets or people. Deer are beautiful, it’s true, but they’ll be just as pretty on the other side of a nice sturdy Deer Barrier deer fence.

We grew up weeping for Bambi, laughing at Thumper and giggling at Rocky the Flying Squirrel. But when their cousins munch on our petunias, dig tunnels under the porch or turn our vegetable garden into their dinner plate, it’s time to find a solution without harming the furry critters.

Keep your expectations realistic and you won’t turn into Bill Murray’s sadistic groundskeeper from “Caddyshack.” Remember that animals such as squirrels, chipmunks, deer, skunks, moles, rabbits and raccoons are a part of nature and we share this world with them. Perhaps a truce is in order.

An electric fence is a great, humane way to protect your garden and landscape. For deer, put up a single-strand electric fence, such as the Havahart Above Ground Electric Fence Kit, and smear it with peanut butter. Deer are attracted to the peanut butter but when they try to lick it off, they’ll get a bit of a jolt and will avoid the area in the future.

Battery-operated versions are also available, as well as solar-powered fences. They’re also great for keeping dogs out of your garden, as well as your landscaping.  Standard electric fencing works as a training tool for dogs. After a two-week training program, people can turn it off and their pet will stay within the yard.

Wireless models also are available. The transmitter sends out a signal in circle around it. The radius is adjustable up to 90 feet. When your pet gets near the signal’s perimeter, it triggers the collar beeper and then a shock similar to one delivered by an underground wire model.

The most effective way to keep animals out of your garden and landscaping is an electric fence. That way, you’ll get to enjoy your plantings and watch the wildlife – just not in your own garden.

Garlic is a hardy perennial member of the onion family. It’s one of the easiest vegetables to grow. Gardeners who can grow onions can grow garlic, too. Opt for planting the largest cloves in a head of garlic and the result will be spectacular.

Now is the time to start planning your garlic patch. You’ll want to put in your order before supplies run out in the fall. The secret to a harvest of large garlic bulbs is planting in the fall — generally four to six weeks before the soil freezes. This way the roots can become established before winter arrives and it also will guarantee larger plants and bulbs early the next spring.

The plants will start to produce bulbs in the summer. Here are the steps for growing garlic:

• Prepare the garlic planting bed – Garlic grows best on crumbly, loamy soils that are fertile and high in organic matter. Heavy clay soils will create misshaped bulbs and make harvest difficult.
• Add organic matter, such as well-rotted manure or compost to the soil on a yearly basis to keep it loose. Garlic does well with high amounts of fertilizer. As a general rule, apply three pounds of 8-10-8 garden fertilizer per 100 square feet.
• Garlic grows from individual cloves broken from a full bulb of garlic. You plant those individual cloves in the fall. Each clove will multiply underground to form a new bulb that will consist of 10-20 cloves and that will be ready the next summer.
• When planting, push each clove an inch into the ground, and space 4-6 inches apart. Allow about a foot between rows. After planting, lay down a protective mulch of chopped leaves, straw or grass clippings. Don’t worry if a few leaves sprout before winter. Most of the plant’s above-ground growth will begin in the spring.
• When garlic plants begin to grow in the spring, it’s time to feed them again to encourage strong growth. Apply a high nitrogen fertilizer, such as bloodmeal, gently working a teaspoon or two into the soil around each plant.
• If your fall mulch has decomposed, add another layer to reduce weeds and help retain moisture. Be sure to water your garlic bed during dry spells.
• When the summer solstice approaches, garlic plants stop producing leaves and begin to develop bulbs. Remove any remaining mulch and stop watering.

Of course, the fall and winter climate in your area of the country may determine what will continue to grow, but most areas of the country experience mild weather into October and November.  Those of you who live in very wet climates, may want to use raised garden beds in order to more effectively control the moisture levels of your soil; raised beds are also easy to cover if an unexpected cold snap arrives.  Many experienced gardeners raise their entire vegetable harvest in raised beds so as to better control the growing environment and those hungry pests that find it so easy to invade a ground-level garden.  You will also have much better results with planting live plants as opposed to seeds. 

Garden Harvest Supply.com carries many varieties of fall vegetables, to include pumpkins and winter squash that mature just as the first frost adds that singular crispness to the air.  The vines and blossoms from these colorful plants will add to your garden’s beauty into late fall and early winter.  Check with your local extension service or surf the web for tips on storing for personal consumption and gratification all through the winter. 

Rhubarb, which is a perennial vegetable, adds a distinctive accent to your landscape while supplying your family ready access to its tart flavor in pies, muffins, sauces and any other use that you might find for Rhubarb.  Rhubarb is usually the first edible to appear in the spring and the last to fade in the winter.  You might also find that kale, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli that grow above ground are very cold weather hardy, while many of the root vegetables, such as beets lend themselves well to a fall or winter harvest. 

As with all of your vegetable gardening, fall and winter gardening and harvesting is a labor of love.  Don’t dread the end of summer; look forward to cooler temps and those vegetables that will provide that newly picked taste, vibrant color and healthful nutrition to your fall and winter table.

Often, we struggle to find just the right remembrance to display those feelings that are closest to our hearts.  These Garden Memorial Plaques are the perfect acknowledgment of the most vulnerable emotions that dwell within us. 

Most people view their garden spots or green areas as a haven in which to retreat, relax and spend time with loved ones.  Now you can include a lasting and tastefully beautiful tribute to a cherished relative or family member, distinctive individual or pet that resides always in your heart.

You can purchase either a tow sweeper or a push sweeper, depending upon your needs.  They range in size from 26-inch to 45-inch widths and are lightweight and easily maneuverable.  Both the walk-behind push sweeper and the tow sweepers have large, semi-pneumatic aluminum wheels, enabling you to more easily sweep up leaves, twigs, grass trimmings and various other lawn debris.  All models are crafted of 1-inch, powder coated, steel tubing for extreme durability.  The generous 10-inch brushes easily sweep most small branches, even off of your driveway, that carpet of deep fallen leaves and light snow.  The hopper on the 26-inch or 31-inch model holds 6 to 8 cubic feet of debris, while the tow lawn sweeper boasts a larger 18 cubic foot capacity.  Both the push lawn sweeper and tow lawn sweeper have a one-handed height adjustment; the tow sweeper easily attaches behind a lawn or garden tractor.  

Just imagine simply pushing or towing your lawn sweeper and watching as it clears a path across your debris-strewn lawn.  Think about the amount of time and backbreaking work that you currently put into keeping your lawn well manicured.  Our lawn sweepers enable you to accomplish these time-consuming and tiring tasks in a small fraction of the time it’s taken in the past.  The money spent on broken and bent lawn mower blades will be greatly minimized when you preface your first spring mowing with a quick sweep of your lawn to clear branches and excess leaves.  Even small landscaping stones that have escaped from your flower gardens, or those fallen nuts and acorns left behind by the squirrels only to be found by bare feet, are effortlessly scooped into the hopper of your lawn sweeper.    

Then, simply dump the hopper into a lawn bag, bin or your compost pile.  Its lightweight design makes emptying the hopper as easy as the lawn sweeping.  The tow lawn sweeper has a convenient dump action lever, while the hamper of the push sweeper is effortlessly detached for emptying.

When it comes to saving your precious time so that you can enjoy your beautiful yard, rather than spending your time working to make it beautiful, our lawn sweepers are the answer!  In about one-quarter of the time it would take to rake or manually pick up those twigs, stones and leaves, you can be done and sitting on your patio with an iced tea or playing with your children or grandchildren, or off on an outing to the lake or the mall!  What are you waiting for?  Take the first step to making your life easier; click right here to see the variety of lawn sweepers available at Garden Harvest Supply!

How many times have you stood in the garden department or wandered through your local nursery commiserating over whether or not a particular plant, tree or shrub will grow in the area that you have chosen?  The industry has attempted to make it easier to determine by way of a standard industry-wide jargon.  Your choices are:  Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade or Full Shade.  But, this still requires quite a bit of guess work on your part.  Most of us are only aware of conditions in a specific part of the yard for a very small part of any particular day.  Those conditions change hour by hour, being determined by surrounding vegetation and trees, storage buildings, the residence itself and the angles at which the sun is hitting a specific spot.  We all know the disappointment felt when a plant does not grow as expected, or dies out, and we are left wondering ‘what happened’.  Sometimes the plant may have been weak or ill to begin with, or our soil did not provide the proper nutrients, but more often than not it is just because the plant did not have the necessary amount of sunlight required to sustain it. 

SunCalc has been invented to accurately determine the aggregate amount of full intensity solar energy falling on any given spot, in any area of your yard.  SunCalc uses an electronic solar radiation measuring device, over a period of 12 hours, which actively measures the amount of photo-synthetically active sunlight.  The algorithm then calculates the data into a language that we all understand, the language used on those little plastic tags that tell us how much sun or shade a plant, tree or shrub needs to grow. 

The SunCalc readings are related to time as follows :

Full Sun – 6+ hours

Full Shade – Less than 1 1/2 hours

SunCalc is unique.  There is no comparable product.  This is one of those products that you will wonder how you ever lived without!  Your gardens and landscaping are a substantial investment of your time and money.  SunCalc will insure that your plants are where they most need to be, in the exact location in your yard that will provide the optimum light conditions; therefore the best possible growth and beauty, year after year.

You may protest that all tomatoes taste “tomatoey” since they are, indeed, tomatoes. But just as there are dozens of tomato varieties, there are numerous flavors. That great multitude of varieties isn’t just about outward appearances. Some are on the sweeter side, some on the more acidic side, but Brandywine tomatoes have the perfect blend of both sweetness and acidity that just says “Tomato!” The fruits are large (up to two pounds each) which make them perfect for slicing and placing in a sandwich. Just one slice can cover the largest of hamburger buns and stand up to the heartiest slice of loaf bread. Many folks can’t imagine summer without these beauties sliced and simply eaten with mayonnaise-dressed bread. Try that with a store-bought tomato!

Speaking of store-bought tomatoes, many of them are completely tasteless and only serve the purpose of adding a red garnishment to your plate. Why, you may ask, does a vegetable known for its intense taste end up so bland? It’s how they are grown, prepared and shipped. First of all, they are hybrids selected to produce hard fruit that can stand the jostling around they take on their trips from farm to supermarket. Then they are picked while still green and treated days or weeks later with ethylene gas to “ripen” them. Sounds yummy, huh?

Brandywine Heirloom Tomatoes can get a bit leggy so follow these instructions for pruning and care:

–Start pinching and pruning back the tomatoes once they take hold and start filling out. This should be done before the fruit sets on.

–Cut all stems and shoots at the soil line, using clean sharp pruning shears or garden scissors.

–Cut all stems or shoots below the flowering line, normally about a foot from the soil line. Do not cut off stems that have flowers on them because these will eventually become your tomatoes.

–Tend the plants daily because new shoots can grow 2 to 4 inches a day when it’s warm and sunny.

–As it grows, stake up your plant and do some light pruning of unwanted non-flowering branches.

–Remove any dead or dry foliage to ward off disease and pests.

So, respect the tomato! Grow it yourself! Brandywine Heirloom Tomatoes all taste divinely tomatoey and come in red, pink, yellow, and black varieties.